Integrin heterodimer and a subunit thereof

A recombinant or isolated integrin heterodimer comprising a novel subunit α10 in association with a subunit β is described. The α10 integrin may be purified from bovine chondrocytes on a collagen-type-II affinity column. The integrin or the subunit α10 can be used as marker or target of all types of cells, e.g. of chondrocytes, osteoblasts and fibroblasts. The integrin or subunit α10 thereof can be used as marker or target in different physiological or therapeutic methods. They can also be used as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines.